Boys Just Want to Have Fun
| posted by Lynne d JohnsonIn the world of boy's play, Hot Wheels and Matchbox just don't cut it anymore. And neither does Batman, nor Superman action figures. So what's a toy maker to do? Mattel has presumably figured out a solution. If boys are playing video games and collectible card games, then why not make a toy (or is it a game?) that's a cross-section of the two?
This fall Mattel will release a hybrid video gaming system utilizing CD-ROM and RFID technology that is targeted at tweens. HyperScan, as the system will be called, combines video gaming and card collecting in one device. Players scan cards over the gaming system and their favorite characters appear on the TV screen. During play, the gamer can pause and scan cards over the console to upgrade, modify and enhance their battle abilities. It will ship with a game based on Marvel's X-men, and additional games will be based on Marvel Heroes, Cartoon Network's Ben 10, Mattel's Interstellar Wrestling League and Nickelodeon's Avatar.
Nifty, huh? Perhaps, but it really depends on the game's price point in comparison with what's already "hot" out on the market from the competition, doesn't it? Mattel announced that the console would be sold for $69.99 and "Game Packs" will include one CD game and six collectible game cards for $19.99. Booster packs of game cards will cost $9.99. Right now, two of the most popular portable game systems the Nintendo Game Boy and the Nintendo DS Lite cost around $80 and $130 respectively, and the DS features Wi-Fi. Game cartridges can run anywhere from $10 - $40. The dynamic Nintendo duo might not be able to plug into your television set, but there are TV tuner plug-ins available for both enabling users to turn their handhelds into mini televisions.
So how does that add up?
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Recent Comments | 2 Total
July 22, 2006 at 1:35pm
tulsa_seanQuite frankly, I think it will flop in the long run. It may catch on over a christmas hype, but its too limited and confined. The serious collector kids will love it however.
If they want to solve the "problem" I believe they should get better with toy designing. Make batman and superman more realistic. Like the sapien robot thing. Even I want one of those.
Kids still want their action figures and they want their video games. Only a small percent of the market would want a card-scanning-interactive-TV-rom-thing.
For the purposes of identifying my demographic niche I am a 27 yr old male.
July 25, 2006 at 9:15am
Steven BurdaThe last time I played video game was when I was 14 or 15... lately, just so busy (and I am not just saying) with everyday things: work, school, social life... that I don't even want to sit and stare at the screen...
-Steven Burda
http://www.linkedin.com/in/burda